Holistic Development and Music Education: Research for Educators and Community Stakeholders

Abstract

Many educators and parents remain unaware of the value of music and the arts beyond obvious, natural entertainment contexts and find it easy to devalue music and arts programing. This article presents a concise review of significant research that demonstrates strong correlations between the study of music and arts as academic disciplines that improve the development of literacy, language, and math skills while also providing a natural link to improved social and emotional competencies. The material is presented to better inform and aid general music specialist efforts to share the academic value of music for students while highlighting distinct contributions to improved emotional, intellectual, and social areas of cognition that other academic disciplines may not achieve as effectively.